Foundation form apparatus



Sept. 21, 1965 1.. E. PAPlN FOUNDATION FORM APPARATUS Filed Sept. 15, 1963 INVENTOR.

LAWRENCE E. PAPIN ATTORNEY.

United States Patent 3,207,465 FOUNDATION FORM APPARATUS Lawrence E. Papin, 11864 Doverhii] Court, St. Louis, Mo.

Filed Sept. 13, 1963, Ser. No. 308,712 3 Claims. (Cl. 249-64) This invention relates generally to improvements in a foundation form apparatus, and more particularly to an improved bracket assembly for supporting and adjustably positioning form boards.

In building so-called slab houses which are characterized by having no basement, a foundation trench is first dug and a form is erected to bring the foundation wall to the correct height of from eight to twelve inches above ground level when the concrete is poured.

It is an important objective of the present invention to provide a foundation form bracket that performs the above described advantageous results, such apparatus being portable, readily assembled and disassembled, easy to handle and use, and quickly adjusted to accommodate the placement of form boards.

An important object is achieved by the provision of a foundation form bracket in which an elongate bar is adjustably mounted to a pair of ground-engaging pins for selective positioning on the pins to regulate the height of the form boards, and in which a pair of hangers are adjustably mounted on the bar for selective positioning to regulate the lateral or horizontal spacing of the form boards.

Another important object is realized by the structural arrangement in which the bar has its opposite ends slidably mounted on the pins that are anchored in the ground for substantially vertical adjustment, and in which clamping means selectively fixes the bar on the pins in adjusted height position. Other advantages are obtained by slidably mounting the depending hangers on the bar, and by providing clamping means that selectively fixes the hangers on the bar in adjusted lateral position to retain the form boards in the desired, horizontally spaced relation.

Still another important object is provided by the mounting and clamping of the bar to the ground-engaging pins, the bar having an eye at each end through which one of the pins extend, and having a threaded bore at each end in which a turn bolt is received and manipulated for selectively engaging and fixing the associated pin. More specifically, the clamping means including a nut spaced from each end of the bar presenting an opening therebetween in which one of the pins extends, the bolts being threadedly connected to the nuts and adapted to engage and fix the pins.

An important object is to afford a foundation form bracket that can be adjusted vertically and/or horizontally in order to position the form boards precisely as to height and lateral spacing relative to a foundation trench so that when concrete is poured, the resultant portion of the foundation wall above the ground will be of the correct size and shape.

Another important objective is achieved by constructing each of the hangers with means that slidably embrace the bar and which includes a bore for threadedly receiving a bolt, the bolts selectively engaging and clamping the hangers in slidably adjusted positions on the bar.

Yet another important object is realized by making each hanger of an angle strip having angularly related flat flanges, one of the flanges engaging the bar while the form board is attached to the other flange. The flat flange of the hanger engages and cooperates with a compatible flat side surface on the bar, and clamping means including vertically spaced slide elements also engage compatible flat opposed surfaces on the bar, whereby a rigid arrangement and connection is obtained assuring accurate and secure placement of the form boards.

An important objective is to provide a foundation form apparatus that is simple and durable in construction, economical to manufacture and assemble, highly efficient in operation, and which can be utilized by anyone with little or no instruct-ion.

The foregoing and numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will more clearly appear from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, particularly when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the foundation form apparatus, illustrating its arrangement with a foundation trench;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view showing the connection of one end of the bar with its associated ground-engaging pin, and

PEG. 3 is a perspective view of a hanger.

Referring nOW by characters of reference to the drawing and first to FIG. 1, it is seen that a trench generally indicated at 10 is dug in the ground in which concrete is poured to form a foundation wall, the trench 10 including a substantially vertical portion 11 having spaced parallel side walls and an enlarged bottom or footing portion 12. It is desired to bring the foundation wall to a height of between eight to twelve inches above the ground level indicated at 13. To accomplish this result, the foundation form apparatus is utilized.

The form apparatus includes an elongate tubular bar 14 of substantially square cross-section having opposed flat sides. Spaced from each end of bar 14 is a nut 15. A pair of side straps 16 and 17 secure each nut 15 to its associated bar end. Each bar end and its associated spaced nut 15 provide an opening 18 therebetween in and through which a ground-engaging pin 20 extends.

The pins 20 are driven into the ground, one pin 20 on each side of the trench 10 as is illustrated in FIG. 1. Then, the bar is interconnected by placing the pins 20 in the bar openings 18. The outside diameters of the pins 29 are slightly less than but closely approximate the distances between each bar end and adjacent nut 15 so that the bar 14 is slidable and vertically adjustable along the pins 20.

Each nut 15 is provided with an endwise threaded bore '21 that communicates with the adjacent bar opening 18. A threaded turn bolt 22 is received in each nut bore 21 and selectively engages the associated pin 20 in order to clamp the pin 20 securely to bar 14. Thus it is seen that the bar 14 can be slidably adjusted vertically to a desired height and then clamped in position on pins 20 by manipulation of the turn bolts 22.

A pair of hangers 23 are slidably mounted on bar 14. The hangers 23 are identical in construction so that a detailed description of one will suflice for the other.

Fr'om FIG. 3 it will be apparent that the hanger includes an elongate angle strip 24 having right angularly related fiat flanges 25 and 26. Secured to and projecting outwardly from the upper portion of strip flange 25 are a pair of vertically spaced slide elements 27 and 30. The slide element 30 is provided with a threaded bore 31 and constitutes a nut.

When assembled, the bar 14 is located between the slide elements 27 and 30, and the flat face or flange 25 engages a flat side of bar 14. The slide elements 27 and 30 engage the opposed, flat upper and bottom surfaces of bar 14.

A turn bolt 32 is received in bore '31 of the hanger nut 30, and is manipulated to lock or clamp the hanger selectively in adjusted position on bar 14.

A series of regularly spaced holes 33 are formed in a vertical straight line in the angle strip flange 26. Fastened to the hanger 23 and particularly to the strip flange 26 is a form board 34. A plurality of screws 38 are inserted through the boards 34 and threadedly engage the flange 'holes 33 to hold the board 34 tightly against the flat face of flange 26. It will be noted that the upper margin 35 of the form board 34 is below the space between the slide elements 27 and 30 so as to lie below the bar 14 when the hanger 23 is mounted on bar 14. Also, it will be noted that the lower margin 36 of the form board 34 extends below the bottom end of angle strip 24 so that such lower board margin 36 can engage and conform closely to the contour of the ground.

Because the hangers 23 are identical in construction, such hangers are mounted from opposite sides of the bar 14 as is best seen in FIG. 1. V This arrangement holds the form boards in substantially parallel relation.

It is thought that the usage .and functional advantage of the foundation form bracket has become fully apparent from the foregoing detailed description of parts, but for completeness of disclosure, the installation of the apparatus will be briefly described.

First, it will be assumed that the foundation trench 'has been dug to the appropriate depth and that form boards 34 of the appropriate height, ie from eight inches to twelve inches, have been selected. As is usual, convenient guide strings 37 are strung along each side of the trench 10 at the height desired for the foundation wall above the ground level.

' The pins 20 of each set of brackets are driven into the ground at a suitable distance from the sides of the trench 10. Preferably, the pins 20 are disposed substantially vertical and disposed equidistantly from the opposite edges of the trench 10. Then, the tubular bar 14 is mounted or fitted over the pins 20, the pins 20 being received in the bar opening 18. It will be assumed that the end bolts 22 are backed off to permit vertical adjustment of the bar 14 on the pins 20. The bar 14 extends at right angles to and across the trench 10. When the bar 14 is raised to the desired height above the ground level as indicated by the guide strings 37, the end bolts 22 are turned to clamp or fix the ends of the bar 14 to the pins 20. The hangers 23 are then mounted to the bar 14 by fitting the bar 14 between theslidei elements 27 and 30. The angle strip 24 of each hanger 23 depends vertically from bar 14. It will be noted that the flat face of flange 25 engages the flat side of bar 14 and that the slide elements 27 and 3t) present flat surfaces engaging the flat opposed uppe'rand bottom sides of-bar 14, whereby a rigid connection is maintained to hold the angle strip 24 in substantially vertical relation. There is very little, if any, tendency on the part of the hangers 23 to turn about the bar '14.

In mounting the hangers 23, such hangers 23 are relatively reversed so that the slide elements 27 and30 of one hanger embrace the bar 14 from one side while the corresponding slide elements 27 and 30 of the other hanger embrace the bar 14 from the opposite side. This arrangement is necessary in order to have the flanges 26 of the angle strips 24 of the hangers 23 disposed in facing relationship to provide surfaces for attachment of the Wood form boards 34 which define the sides of the foundation above the ground level. As stated previously, the form boards 34 are secured by screws 38 to the flanges 26 of the hanger angle strips 24.

The hangers 23 are relatively adjusted horizontally along the bar 14 until each hanger 23 presents its associated form board 34 in position along the side of the trench 10 until its inner surface lies flush with the inner surface of the vertical trench portion 11. When the hangers 23, and hence form boards 34 have been appropriately positioned, the hanger bolts 32 are tightened to fix the hangers to the bar 14.

Of course, any minor adjustments regarding the position of form boards 34, either vertically or horizontally can be easily cared for by manipulation of the bracket parts. If the form boards 34 have to be raised or lowered vertically, the end bolts 22 are loosened in order to slide the bar 14 vertically in either direction along the ground pins 20 until a satisfactory vertical positioning of the form boards 34 is attained. Then, the end bolts 22 can be quickly and easily tightened to clamp the bar 14 and hence the form boards 34 in the adjusted vertical position. Similarly, the spacing between or horizontal adjustment of the form boards 34 can be as readily made. The hanger bolts 32 are first loosened to enable either one or both of the hangers 23 to be moved slidably in either direction, horizontally along the bar 14 in order to place the form boards 34 in the desired position. When the form boards 34 are appropriately located, the hanger bolts 32 are easily tightened to fix the hangers 23 and hence the form boards 34 in adjusted horizontal position.

The form boards 34 are suspended from the cross bar 14, and the easy horizontal and vertical adjustment of such boards 34 greatly facilitate their proper placement. The adjustability affords ease in setting the form boards 34 in the desired relationship to the trench.

In the preferred embodiment or system of placing the form boards 34 in this type of foundation structure, a set of the above brackets as described above will be used at about six foot intervals along the trench.

Although the invention has been described by making detailed reference to a single preferred embodiment, such detail is to be understood in an instructive, rather than in any restrictive sense, many variants being possible within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

I claim as my invention:

1. A foundation form bracket comprising:

(a) a pair of ground-engaging pins,

(b) an elongate bar having its ends slidably mounted on the pins for adjustment,

(c) clamping means selectively fixing the bar on the pins in adjusted height position,

(d) a pair of hangers, each hanger including a right angle strip disposed in substantially vertical relation, the strip having angularly related flanges, one of the flanges engaging the bar,

(e) vertically spaced slide elements on the said one flange of each hanger engaging the bar located therebetween, the slide elements being open laterally to receive the bar therebetween, one of the slide elements being a nut,

(f) a form board being attached to the other flange of each hanger and depending from the bar, and

(g) a turn bolt threadedly connected to each hanger nut and selectively engaging the bar, the bolts fixing the hangers on the bar in adjusted lateral position to retain the form boards in desired spaced relation.

2. A foundation form bracket comprising:

(a) a pair of ground-engaging pins,

(b) an elongate bar,

(c) a nut spaced from each end of the bar to provide an opening therebetween through which one of the pins extends, the nuts being secured to the bar,

((1) a turn bolt threadedly connected to each nut and selectively engaging the associated pin, the bolts fixing the bar on the pin in adjusted height position,

(e) a pair of hangers, each hanger including vertically spaced slide elements engaging the bar located there- 7 between, the vertically spaced slide elements being open laterally to receive the bar therebetween, the

v hangers being disposed out of engagement with the ground,

(f) a form board attached to each hanger and depending from the bar,

(g) one of the slide elements on each hanger being a nut,

(h) a turn bolt threadedly connected to each hanger nut and selectively engaging the bar, the bolts fixing;

the hangers on the bar in slidably adjusted position to retain the form boards in desired spaced relation.

3. A foundation form bracket comprising:

(a) a pair of ground-engaging pins,

(b) .an elongate bar having opposed, substantially fiat sides,

(c) a nut spaced from each end of the bar to provide an opening therebetween through which one of the pins extends,

(d) means securing each nut to the associated bar end,

(e) a turn bolt threadedly connected to each nut and selectively engaging the associated pin, the bolts fixing the bar on the pins in vertically adjusted height position,

(f) a pair of hangers slidably mounted on the bar out of engagement with the ground, each hanger including a right angle strip having one flange bearing against one of the flat sides of the bar,

(g) a form board attached to the other flange of the right angle strip of each hanger, the form boards being disposed in substantially parallel relation,

(h) a pair of vertically spaced slide elements secured to the first said flange of each hanger, the slide elements engaging opposed flat upper and lower sides of the bar located therebetween, the slide elements being open laterally to receive the bar therebetween,

(i) one of the slide elements of each hanger being a nut,

(j) :a turn bolt threadedly connected to each hanger nut and selectively engaging the bar, the bolts fixing the hangers on the bar in horizontally adjusted position to retain the form boards in desired horizontally spaced relation, and

(k) the form board of each hanger having its upper margin below the space between the slide elements and having its lower margin below the bottom end of said hanger.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 529,745 11/94 McIntyre et al. 189-36 1,169,464 1/ 16 Cornelius 251 18 1,963,979 6/34 Garrett 25-131 2,635,320 4/53 Ornitz 25-118 2,764,798 10/56 Huff 251l8 FOREIGN PATENTS 292,715 11/53 Switzerland.

WILLIAM J. STEPHENSON, Primary Examiner.

25 ROBERT F. WHITE, MICHAEL v. BRINDISI,

Examiners. 

1. A FOUNDATION FORM BRACKET COMPRISING: (A) A PAIR OF GROUND-ENGAGING PINS, (B) AN ELONGATE BAR HAVING ITS ENDS SLIDABLY MOUNTED ON THE PINS FOR ADJUSTMENT, (C) CLAMPING MEANS SELECTIVELY FIXING THE BAR ON THE PINS IN ADJUSTED HEIGHT POSITION, (D) A PAIR OF HANGERS, EACH HANGER INCLUDING A RIGHT ANGLE STRIP DISPOSED IN SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL RELATION, THE STRIP HAVING ANGULARLY RELATED FLANGES, ONE OF THE FLANGES ENGAGING THE BAR, (E) VERTICALLY SPACED SLIDE ELEMENTS ON THE SAID ONE FLANGE OF EACH HANGER ENGAGING THE BAR LOCATED THEREBETWEEN, THE SLIDE ELEMENTS BEING OPEN LATERALLY TO RECEIVE THE BAR THEREBETWEEN, ONE OF THE SLIDE ELEMENTS BEING A NUT, (F) A FORM BOARD BEING ATTACHED TO THE OTHER FLANGE OF EACH HANGER AND DEPENDING FROM THE BAR, AND (G) A TURN BOLT THREADEDLY CONNECTED TO EACH HANGER NUT AND SELECTIVELY ENGAGING THE BAR, THE BOLTS FIXING THE HANGERS ON THE BAR IN ADJUSTED LATERAL POSITION TO RETAIN THE FORM BOARDS IN DESIRED SPACED RELATION. 